A Cheltenham man has been left fuming after being hit with a fine for parking on a dual-use taxi rank

Martin Radford received the £70 fixed penalty notice on 25 July at 7pm, after parking on the taxi rank outside of prescribed hours.

However, Mr Radford has claimed that the fine, which was issued by a parking attendant in Cheltenham Town Centre is unfair because it was unclear that the area, which is permitted to be used as a general parking area through the day, becomes a taxi rank after 6pm.

Mr Radford explained that the ticket machine did not provide information regarding the space's function in the evening. He also claimed that signs stating the change-over was obscured by trees.

Mr Radford claimed that he went to pay for the use of the space, however the instructions stated that a charge to park only applies between 8am-6pm.

The irate motorist told Gloustershire Live that the council should have left instructions on the meter or on another notice next to it.

A Cheltenham County Council spokesperson stated that the council are in the process of updating the signage on the Promenade parking machines, and they encourage Mr Radford to follow the instructions on the ticket and challenge the fine.